Good Trees for Texas

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Good Trees for Texas

For gardeners, Texas means they need to seek out plants, shrubs, grasses and trees that are hardy in zones 6 through 9. Good trees for Texas are going to be hardy to zone 6 for the northernmost part of the state and at least to zone 9 at the southernmost portion of the state. There are some common favorites among trees for those zones.

Myrtleleaf Holly

Ilex myrtifolia, the myrtle-leaf holly or myrtle holly, is from the holly family and is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It reaches an average of 20 feet tall with leathery leaves and small white flowers. Berries can be red, yellow, or orange. Plant a myrtle-leaf holly in full sun in wet soil. Propagate via cuttings or seed in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10. North Texas may have problems.

Devilwood

Osmanthus americanus, the devilwood or American olive, is from the olive family and is a fragrant evergreen, drought-tolerant tree or shrub. It gets to an average of 10 to 20 feet high and 8 to 15 feet wide but may reach 50 feet. Leaves are leathery and 2 to 6 inches long while white flowers are on clusters. Plant in any soil in full sun or light shade. Propagate via seed or cuttings in USDA hardiness zones in 5 through 9.

Sugar Maple

Acer saccharum, the sugar maple or rock maple, is from the maple family and is a good fall foliage tree. It grows to around 80 feet tall with deciduous leaves and gray bark. Plant in moist well-drained soil in any lighting. Propagate via seed or budding in USDA hardiness zones of 3 through 8. South Texas may have some problems.

Pignut Hickory

Carya glabra, the pignut hickory, is from the walnut family and is a drought-tolerant tree. It reaches fro 60 to 80 feet high with deciduous leaves 8 to 12 inches long. The leaves turn a rich yellow in the autumn. Plant in full sun, and propagate via seed in USDA hardiness zones of 4 through 9.

Atlas Cedar

Cedrus atlantica, the atlas cedar, is from the pine family and an evergreen. It can get 120 feet high and 100 feet wide but averages 40 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 40 feet wide. It has silver-gray bark and blue green needle-like foliage. Plant in any soil in full sun or partial shade. Propagate via seed or grafting in USDA hardiness zones of 6 through 9.

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About this Author

Tina Samuels has been a full-time freelance writer for more than 10 years (in health and gardening topics) and a writer for 20 years. She has one book, "A Georgia Native Plant Guide," offered through Mercer University Press. She is happy to be a LIVESTRONG and Gardenguides writer.